Dear Jennifer,

We put our mission into action this week with an exciting new announcement! If you haven't heard already, our newest partnership is with the University of South Alabama and The Eagle Reef, a project aimed at environmental conservation and preservation. You can learn more about plans for the future of this project in this newsletter. We'll be providing regular updates to keep you informed on the progress!

We also have two annual events coming up and are working hard to plan. We'll continue to celebrate the environmental impacts our members are making at our Annual Meeting on September 7. I also hope you are considering participating in our Industrial Reverse Trade Show on October 19 at Fort Whiting. Advance tickets for this event will be available soon!

Your involvement and input are essential in building this thriving, impactful community together. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for being a valued member of our PEP community.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Denson, Executive Director

PEP FOCUSES ON THE HEALTH OF MOBILE BAY WITH NEW PARTNERSHIP - THE EAGLE REEF

The Eagle Reef began as an Eagle Scout service project conducted by John Shell. The project’s goal: restoring and revitalizing our marine and coastal ecosystems by deploying mini reefs across Coastal Alabama. The Eagle Reef is a solution for the loss of natural oyster and grass beds, which has contributed to the reduction of numerous fish species. 

HOW IT WORKS

The Eagle Reef project helps restore the health of our coastal waters for all to enjoy! In the first six months after installation, the reefs are loaded with filter feeders including oysters and barnacles, filtrating and cleaning more than 10 million gallons of water annually and attracting fish to the waters surrounding the reefs. In addition, the reefs provide habitats that generate more than 500 fish and crabs per year. Each reef comes preassembled, tied between four pilings under a dock or wharf and floats up and down with the tide.

The PEP Board of Directors were onsite for the announcement of the exciting new partnership.

Eagle Scout John Shell (center) is pictured with speakers and leaders from the press conference.

THE FUTURE OF THE EAGLE REEF

Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) and the University of South Alabama Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences are partnering with The Eagle Reef to expand the project to deploy 1,000 reefs, which will filter up to 10 billion gallons of water annually and create habitats that result in up to 500,000 fish and crabs per year in our coastal waters.

The University of South Alabama Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences will assist in location identification, deployment, stocking and maintaining the reefs for the project in addition to monitoring the reefs and testing the waters surrounding them.

PEP is rallying its membership to raise funds and awareness for cleaning the coastal waters and improving the fish populations for area residents and visitors.

John Shell's Eagle Scout project inspired the partnership between PEP and USA. Here he is pictured speaking to FOX10 at the press conference.

University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner addresses the attendees at the press conference.

THE EAGLE REEF PRESS CONFERENCE

The announcement of the new partnership between PEP, the University of South Alabama, and The Eagle Reef took place at a special press conference at The Grand Hotel. Many community and regional leaders were onsite to learn more, including the PEP Board of Directors. Several leaders also attended to announce the partnership, including Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship, University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner, PEP Gulf Coast Environmental Foundation Board President Tom Bramlett, and PEP Board Member and Spire VP of Economic Development George Hunter.

Awareness and excitement of the project has been far and wide, thanks to the coverage provided by AL.com, WKRG, FOX10, and more to come!

YOU CAN HELP!

Eagle Reefs are available to businesses, nonprofits and individuals through a tax-deductible donation. For more information on how to get involved or to make a tax deductible donation, complete our Eagle Reef Interest

Form. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR PEP'S ANNUAL MEETING

Join us on Thursday, September 7th at the MacQueen Alumni Center on the campus of The University of South Alabama for PEP’s 23rd Annual Meeting & Awards. Recipients of the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Awards will be presented and we will highlight the significant and positive contributions these PEP members are making to the Gulf Coast region in three crucial areas: economic growth, environmental health and social responsibility. 

Registration will open soon. If interested please contact Jennifer Denson at jdenson@pepmobile.org.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 23RD REVERSE TRADE SHOW

PEP's 23rd Industrial Reverse Trade Show will be Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Fort Whiting.

The Industrial Reverse Trade Show brings decision-makers from industry together in one location. Ticket holders from the supplier, vendor and service sectors are the visitors who walk through the show “calling on” plant managers, purchasing managers, engineers and maintenance managers from industry, shipbuilding, multi-disciplined engineering firms, major medical centers and more.

Be sure to follow the event page for details on sponsorship, registration, and more!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL CONTINENTAL PHEASANT HUNT

We're already planning great events for the fall, including our annual pheasant hunt! Be sure to mark Thursday, November 9 on your calendar so you don't miss out on one of our most popular events.